Overview
Students will learn the importance of biodiversity and describe the various ways in which humans impact ecosystems and affect biodiversity. Students will work in groups to create a concept map that shows the relationships between human activity and the effect it has on ecosystems and the organisms in those ecosystems. Students will use their textbooks to define important terms and to help them give a brief description of how each human activity impacts ecosystems and biodiversity.
Objectives
Students will be able to…
Define biodiversity
Describe several ways in which humans impact biodiversity and ecosystems
Describe ways that a loss of biodiversity can impact humans
Identify ways to reduce human impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems
Students should each be given a task to avoid one student doing all the work
Instruction
Opening
Yesterday we discussed some ways in which natural disasters affect ecosystems and how ecosystems recover after disturbance. Today we will learn about some of the ways that humans impact ecosystems.
Play video
Why do you think that biodiversity is so important?
What impact do you think a loss of biodiversity might have on humans?
Today you will create a concept map that outlines the ways in which humans are connected to the environment and how our activities impact ecosystems.
I will briefly describe concept maps and show several examples on the overhead projector.
Activity
Students will be placed in heterogeneous groups and will be presented with the Biodiversity and Human Impacts worksheet and a large poster sized paper. Students will use this worksheet to guide them in creating their concept map and in writing their description of each human impact. Each concept map and description will be shared out. As information is shared, I will fill in any gaps that students may have missed and ask probing questions to assess student understanding.
Closing
What is biodiversity and why is it important?
According to your book, what has the biggest impact on ecosystems and biodiversity?
What are some ways that you listed that we can reduce our impacts on ecosystems and conserve biodiversity?
Please finish up your worksheets and maps and hand them in by the end of class.
Overview
Students will learn the importance of biodiversity and describe the various ways in which humans impact ecosystems and affect biodiversity. Students will work in groups to create a concept map that shows the relationships between human activity and the effect it has on ecosystems and the organisms in those ecosystems. Students will use their textbooks to define important terms and to help them give a brief description of how each human activity impacts ecosystems and biodiversity.
Objectives
Students will be able to…
Materials
Preparation Notes
Instruction
Opening
Yesterday we discussed some ways in which natural disasters affect ecosystems and how ecosystems recover after disturbance. Today we will learn about some of the ways that humans impact ecosystems.
Today you will create a concept map that outlines the ways in which humans are connected to the environment and how our activities impact ecosystems.
I will briefly describe concept maps and show several examples on the overhead projector.
Activity
Students will be placed in heterogeneous groups and will be presented with the Biodiversity and Human Impacts worksheet and a large poster sized paper. Students will use this worksheet to guide them in creating their concept map and in writing their description of each human impact. Each concept map and description will be shared out. As information is shared, I will fill in any gaps that students may have missed and ask probing questions to assess student understanding.
Closing
Please finish up your worksheets and maps and hand them in by the end of class.
Assessment
Student concept maps and activity sheet.
Homework
Finish any work not completed in class.
Resources
http://cmap.ihmc.us/publications/researchpapers/theorycmaps/theoryunderlyingconceptmaps.htm
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